Raider Football Improves to 3-0 with Route over Ionia

After last week’s upset win over defending state champion DeWitt, the Portland High School football team continued it winning ways on Friday night with a 42-10 victory over CAAC White Conference opponent Ionia.

After Ionia kicked off to Portland, the Red Raiders wasted no time in striking on the Bulldogs. After starting on their own 37-yard line, Portland senior QB Haden Getchell connected with senior receiver Ethan Patrick for a huge pick up. A few plays later Raider senior running back Drew Miller broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run through the heart of the Ionia Defense.

Senior kicker Madison Luxmore would convert on the point after and the Raiders would take an early 7-0 lead.

Ionia would waste no time in evening the score. Lead primarily by scrambles by senior quarterback Austin Hillabrandt, the Bulldogs drove deep into Raider territory, before Hillabrandt would cross the goal line on a one-yard keeper. Senior kicker Emmanuel Velasco would connect on the point after and the game would sit tied at seven with 1:24 remaining in the first.

After Ionia’s kick, Portland would start at their own 17. The Raider offense would drive once again. The possession was capped off on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Getchell to senior running back Reis Phillips. Luxmore point after was good and the score moved to Portland 14, Ionia 7.

Ionia would fumble the ensuing kickoff and Portland junior linebacker Brady Krause would recover the ball. Portland would take over at the Ionia 42.

The Raider drive would eventually stall out when Portland failed to convert on a fourth down play at the Ionia 25.

The Bulldogs would capitalize on the possession when Velasco connected on a 36-yard field goal with 0:16 remaining in the second quarter, pushing the score to 14-10. That is where the score would remain for the end of the first half of play.

The Bulldogs would receive the opening kick off of the second half, but the Raider defense would quickly force them to punt.

On the first offensive play of the possession, Getchell would sprint for a 75-yard touchdown run. Luxmore would connect the point after and Portland would extend their lead to 21-10.

After forcing Ionia to punt once again, the Red Raiders would reach the endzone one more time. This time on a 52-yard touchdown run by Miller. Luxmore’s point after pushed the score to Portland 28. Ionia 10.

Portland’s defense forced another Ionia punt, but this time Ionia mishandled the punt and Portland would take over at the Ionia 19 with 42 seconds remaining in the third.

Portland would find the endzone quickly on an eight-yard touchdown run by senior running back Caden Galey. Luxmore connected on the extra point and Portland would lead 35-10 with 11:55 remaining in the game.

The Bulldog offense would gain some ground and move the ball into Portland territory, but Portland’s Patrick would put and end to that when he picked off a third and five pass at the Portland 22.

Portland would drive 78 yards down the field, capped off by a seven-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Caden Thelen. Luxmore point after was good and Portland would lead 42-10 with 3:47 left in the game.

Ionia’s possession would be short lived as Portland senior defensive end would recover a fumbled Ionia snap at the Bulldog 40 with 32 seconds left in the game.

The Red Raiders would eat up the remaining time on the clock to secure a 42-10 win.

Scoring summary by quarter:

1st – 2nd – 3rd – 4th – Final

Portland 7 – 7 – 14 – 14 – 42

Ionia 7 – 3 – 0 – 0 – 10

Portland Rushing:

Reis Phillips 10 carries 39 yards

Haden Getchell 5 carries 80 yards 1 TDs

Caden Galey 9 carries 73 yards 1 TDs

Drew Miller 6 carries 106 yards 2 TDs

Baron seal 2 carries 11 yards

John Dodson 1 for 0

Conner Kazamer 1 for 10

Caden Thelen 1 for 4 1 TD

Portland Passing:

Haden Getchell 5 for 8 for 76 1 TD

Portland Receiving:

Ethan Patrick 1 for 34

Trent Meyers 2 for 18

Aiden Marowelli 1 for 6

Reis Phillips 1 for 18 1 TD

Portland Defense:

Brady Krause 10 Tackles

Ethan Patrick 9 Tackles 1 INT

Branson Goodman 7 Tackles

You can find Portland head coach John Novara’s post-game comments in the video below.

The Red Raiders improve to 3-0 overall, and 1-0 in the CAAC White. They travel to Lansing Sexton on Friday 9/17. The Big Reds are 0-3 overall, 0-1 in the CAAC White after falling to Lansing Catholic 35-20.

Ionia is now 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the CAAC White. They host 3-0 Charlotte in week four of the season.